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The American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant Provides "Seed Money" to Support New Investigators

This is the 16th year of an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS IRG) that was awarded to the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) to support promising new research by junior faculty members.

The principal investigator of the IRG is Tonya Webb, PhD., Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

The deadline for the ACS-IRG application was Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 by 5pm. If you would like to be added to the email list to be notified about the 2021 application deadline, please email Leanne Simington at lsimington@som.umaryland.edu and Tonya Webb at  TWebb@som.umaryland.edu.

Investigator Eligibility

Only junior level faculty members are eligible for the ACS IRG. Junior investigators are faculty within 6 years of their first independent faculty appointment or equivalent (e.g., Instructor, Assistant Professor, and Research Assistant Professor). Investigators who have already received a peer-reviewed national research grant are not eligible to apply. NIH Career Development (K) awards do not count as peer-reviewed national research grants for this purpose. Investigators who received ACS-IRG funds in prior years cannot re-apply for additional ACS-IRG funding on a new project after their initial ACS-IRG funding has been awarded. However, investigators can re-apply for a second year of funding for the same project.

Non-faculty (e.g., residents, fellows) are not eligible.

  • US citizenship is no longer a requirement. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are welcome to apply.

  • If not a US Citizen, the applicant must have a VISA that will cover the time needed to complete the project.

Grant for Cancer-Related Research by Junior Investigators

Cancer-Related pilot projects are relevant to any aspect of basic, translational, and clinical cancer research. ($30,000 maximum per project for direct costs, indirect costs are not allowed.)

Grant for Cancer Disparities Research by Junior Investigators

Cancer Disparities pilot projects focus on poor or under-served populations and address a variety of clinical, cancer control, behavioral, epidemiologic, health policy, health services, and basic science issues. ($30,000 maximum per project for direct costs, indirect costs are not allowed.)

Application Process

Please submit the signed electronic copy to:

The pilot project grant applications will be reviewed by the local Institutional Research Grant Committee chaired by Dr. Webb. The committee is composed of UMB faculty and a representative of the ACS Mid-Atlantic Division.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT SUBMISSIONS for 2020 and beyond:

  • The internal routing form must be included for committee review.
  • Electronic submissions should be submitted as one combined PDF including the routing form and application.
    • Any additional supporting documentation including letters of support, photocopies of VISAS, Green cards, or progress notes should be included in this PDF.

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